Dabholkar murder: Cop denies Sanatan link

Manohar Kadam, the retired police sub-inspector (PSI) who is alleged to have provided firearm training and logistical support to the suspects in the Narendra Dabholkar murder case, has told HT that he is ready to record his statement before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

“They have not called me yet but I want set the record straight. I do not know anyone from the Sanathan Sanstha and have no links with them nor have I spoken to them,” he told HT over the telephone from Satara where he resides.

Kadam said he had to rush to hospital as his blood pressure shot up on reading the reports

Kadam said he was never a member or sympathiser of the organisation. He also said he did not know Dr Virendra Tawade who had been arrested in connection with the case.

According to reports, Tawade’s call records in 2012-2013 show that he spoke to a policeman/trainer who had trained the shooters of Dabholkar murder.

“The truth will come out in the investigations,” Kadam said. He said he was ready to give his statement anytime and even if the CBI did not call him he wanted to come forward and give his side.

Kadam who was PSI in the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) was convicted in the Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar firing case. The Bombay HC had granted bail to Kadam in May 2009, after he was sentenced to life a month earlier by a session court.

On July 11, 1997, a mob of Dalits had gone on a rampage protesting the desecration of a statue of Dr Ambedkar at Ramabai Nagar in suburban Ghatkopar. Kadam had ordered the platoon to open firing at the mob. Ten people died in the incident.

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